Boox, renowned for its cutting-edge ereaders and innovative E Ink writing tablets, has unveiled its inaugural color PC monitor, the Boox Mira Pro. This device boasts a 25.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display that mimics the texture of paper, similar to the technology utilized in several well-known ereaders such as the Kindle Colorsoft and the Kobo Libra Colour.
Staying true to ereader functionality, the Mira Pro features a front-lit display that adeptly adjusts brightness and light temperature, enabling both warm and cold settings. A unique refresh button is integrated to combat ghosting, a common challenge in e-paper screens. This display design minimizes reflections and glare, enhancing user comfort.
In addition to its monitoring capabilities, the Mira Pro is equipped with dual built-in speakers and five versatile ports, including USB-C, HDMI, mini HDMI, and DisplayPort. Users can choose a version of Mira Pro compatible with their operating systems—be it Windows, macOS, or Linux.
That wraps up the core features of the Mira Pro, which effectively serves as a color upgrade to the earlier black-and-white Boox Mira launched in 2023.
A Seamless Experience
As an avid fan of ereaders, particularly those featuring E Ink technology, I appreciate the comfort they provide. E Ink displays, whether in grayscale or color, are gentle on the eyes, allowing me to read late into the night. Imagine having a capable E Ink monitor that reduces eye strain during the long hours spent working.
While I wouldn’t rely solely on an E Ink monitor for photo editing due to its softer, less saturated color representation, I see a valuable place for it in my workflow as a content editor for Nova Play. It could seamlessly replace my aging 24-inch Dell monitor, which has significant viewing-angle limitations, particularly when positioned vertically for article editing.
Reviewing drafts from my team using a Google Document on an E Ink display would be a dream. I’ve had a taste of this on the smaller 10-inch Boox Go 10.3, which allows access to Google Drive, but typing on it is fully subpar. A dedicated monitor that easily integrates with my MacBook and peripheral setup would be a welcome upgrade.
Price Considerations
However, the limited applications of an E Ink display cast a shadow over its launch price of $1,899.99 / AU$2,499 (approximately £1,400). I’m curious about how effectively the E Ink Kaleido 3 on the Mira Pro renders the full 4,096 colors in its repertoire.
Though I admire Boox’s color ereaders, I’ve found that Kobo often maximizes the potential of Kaleido 3 technology more effectively. While the Mira Pro could fit my needs, I suspect it may leave other users wanting more.
From past interactions with Boox products, I’ve noticed occasional ghosting issues, except in the Boox Palma, despite multiple available refresh rates for different applications. Whether the refresh button improves this situation remains uncertain, as I haven’t tested the Mira or Mira Pro myself.
Though the price tag is steep, particularly given the restrictions of this type of display, it does appear somewhat in line with ereader pricing. For context, monochrome 10-inch E Ink writing tablets like the 2024 Kindle Scribe and reMarkable 2 start around $400 / £370 / AU$600, while the color reMarkable Paper Pro (featuring a custom version of the advanced E Ink Gallery 3 technology) retails for $579 / £559 / AU$929 with the basic Marker. This suggests the price for a 25-inch display is justifiable once you factor in stand costs.
Additionally, U.S. customers should prepare for extra costs due to potential tariffs, making the actual buying price likely higher than the listed launch price.
Despite the hefty cost, I can’t help but feel the excitement about having such a device adorning my workspace.
